Brian Norton Honoured with BCF Silver Medal

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) has presented Brian Norton of Indestructible Paints with the Silver Medal Award in recognition of his longstanding service to the coatings industry and his many years of support for the Federation. The award was presented at the BCF Annual Conference on 4th June 2026.

Brian’s connection with what is now the BCF stretches back decades. Indestructible Paints was founded by his father, Doug Norton, in 1978, and the company became involved with the Paintmakers Association, one of the organisations that formed today’s British Coatings Federation. Brian joined Indestructible Paints in 1990 and continued that close association as the business grew. Over the years, he has contributed to a wide range of BCF groups and committees, particularly the Aerospace and Defence Committee Group, where Indestructible Paints remains actively involved. Brian also served as a non-executive director of the Federation in the early 2000s and has supported the BCF’s work across key member forums covering issues such as health and safety, operations, transport and general industrial coatings.

Throughout his career, Brian has championed both the role of SMEs and the importance of the coatings sector more broadly. His involvement in industry advocacy included visits to Downing Street in 2013 and the Houses of Parliament in 2019 to help promote the value of paint and coatings to the wider economy. He has also highlighted the importance of skills and training, including making use of BCF support on apprenticeships, and has remained a strong supporter of the Federation’s growing role in representing and promoting the industry.

Image: Brian Norton visiting 10 Downing Street in 2013 to raise awareness with Government on key issues impacting UK SMEs

Brian said of the award: “I was genuinely shocked and very honoured to receive the BCF Silver Medal. Indestructible Paints has had a long association with the Federation, going back to my father’s involvement when the company was founded, and it has been a pleasure to maintain that connection over so many years. The BCF has grown enormously in stature and capability and continues to do vital work promoting the value of paint and coatings, which are essential to almost every part of industry and business. I am grateful for the support, friendship and collaboration I have experienced through the Federation over the years.”

BCF CEO Tom Bowtell commented: “Brian has given many years of dedicated service to both the Federation and the wider coatings industry. His longstanding involvement, practical support for BCF activities and commitment to championing the industry make him a very worthy recipient of the Silver Medal. On behalf of the BCF and the wider sector, I am delighted to congratulate Brian on this well-deserved recognition.”

Source : BCF

Image : BCF 

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